Deal with Mr. Rafael
Prologue
This was one of the reasons why she fell in love for Kenneth. He valued other people’s time, and more than that, he valued her. Kenneth valued her so much, to the point that he will never let her to be feel unloved or to be feel that no one likes her. He always do everything just to be feel love and secured.
She couldn’t forget the first time Kenneth asked her out on a date. He was the first man who ever asked her that and aside from she never entertained boys while she’s still studying. She had already reached college without even thinking about entering what people call “love.”
She knew she was pretty enough, smart, and talented, but no one had ever tried to court her. Maybe because she never showed any interest so no one dared to try.
That’s why she was surprised when Kenneth came to her with a red rose in his hand. Back then, Kenneth was her classmate in Education. They had shared a lot of moments in those three years.
She couldn’t answer when Kenneth asked if he could court her. She just stared at him, not knowing how to open her mouth and speak. She didn’t even remember how she nodded, but what she remembered clearly was how Kenneth hugged her—making their classmates squeal with excitement.
So, this was how it felt to be courted.
Three more minutes passed, but Kenneth still wasn’t answering her call. While her hands were shaking, she placed her phone back on the table and decided to pack her things up. It seemed like her boyfriend wasn’t coming. Too bad, she even had good news for him.
But maybe that’s how life is. When you want to share something, that’s exactly when things don’t go as how you planned it.
She finally decided to leave the coffee shop and go back to her boarding house. She was staying there while looking for a job while waiting for the board exam. It was better that way—it would help with her allowance. She was also embarrassed to always ask her mother for money, since her mom was struggling too.
It felt like just yesterday when she said “yes” to Kenneth. Time really flew fast. Back then, they were only in third year, but now, they were graduates. Their second anniversary was also coming soon.
The sad part was—Kenneth wanted to go to America. But what about her? What about them? She didn’t want to be apart from him for so long.
She sighed deeply and stood up. Thirty minutes of waiting was more than enough.
Holding her cellphone, she left the place.
What she wanted to talk about with Kenneth was his plan to leave. She was ready to let him go because what he would do there was important for his future. It was for his own good. Who was she to stop him? Who was she to block his plans in life?
She was just his girlfriend. Just Kenneth’s girlfriend.
Suddenly, her phone beeped—it was a message on Messenger. She stopped walking and checked her phone, hoping it was Kenneth.
Maybe it’s him, she whispered to herself excitedly.
But when she saw the message, her world froze. Her lips couldn’t open and her eyes couldn’t shut—she couldn’t look away.
Why? Why did it hurt so much? Why were they together? Why was his arm around her?
Questions filled her mind—painful questions only Kenneth could answer.
Another message came. It was from Kenneth’s younger sister.
“We’re at the airport now, Ate Ella. Kuya Kenneth told me to keep this a secret, but I can’t. I can’t betray you,” she read the message.
She quickly put her phone in her pocket and started running. She didn’t know what to do. She wanted to run, scream, and slap someone.
She could accept anything—but not this. She could accept if her boyfriend wanted to hurt her, but not like this. Not with her best friend! Please, not like this!
She didn’t know what happened next. Suddenly, there were loud honks from cars, and the next thing she knew, she was lying on the hot pavement of the road.